7 Ways to Have a Better Memory

People differ in their ability to remember things, people, dates, figures, names, and routes, but you will agree that having a better memory can help you succeed in life. It is not only useful for your academic life but also at work, doing business, family life, and all aspects of life.

However, if you are not having a good memory, you needn’t worry; there are techniques you can use to improve your memory and most successful people use them effectively.

Here are 7 Ways to Improve Your Memory

1. Listen

Pay more attention to what is being said, it will help you recall it easier. Whether you are attending a meeting, classroom lecture or an interview, the less distracted you are, the more will be your ability to recall what was said. It is the same with viewing a TV program or listening to a radio talk – your ability to remember is dependent on how attentively you listened. Listen not only with your ears but also with all the other senses.

2. If in Doubt, Ask

If somebody has said something and you couldn’t grasp a word or a name, it is better to ask than feel embarrassed about it. You could ask them to spell it out. Maybe there are several others who are in the same boat but are afraid or embarrassed to ask. The key to memorization is knowing the proper word, number or phrase.

3. Mnemonics

Many schools encourage children to use mnemonics to improve their memory. For example, it is easy to recall rainbow colors if you just remember the acronym-VIBGYOR. It is formed by the first letters of the concerned colors-Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. Similarly, rhymes are used to remember numbers as in the number of days in a year—30 days hath September, April, June, and November.

4. Remembering in Context

It is helpful to memorize more information if it is set in a context of information you already know. If you have learned about South African leader Nelson Mandela, you could learn to memorize more about Martin Luther King or India’s Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi by associating some of the events or qualities shared by them.

5. Keeping a Diary/ Notes

Most often, memory is about remembering to note down something to be done on a particular day or month. When meeting someone or attending a meeting, it is better to note down points or observations which will enable you to recollect them later on. There will be conflicting demands and pressures in daily life and priorities can be set only when we write down the important things to do.

6. Meditation

Faced with pressures and tensions of day-to-day life, you may tend to forget many routine things including birthdays, events, the amount spent on something or where you kept some important documents. The best way to keep your mind clear is to do meditation to keep away negative thoughts and clutter.

7. Sleep and Rest

Your efficiency at work or study depends on how much rest you get after work. It is important to have adequate rest and sleep daily to have a good memory power. At least, 5-6 hours of sound sleep is required for the brain and all our organs to function effectively. Take adequate rest in the afternoon if required as a tired body and mind can’t possibly have a good memory.

Memory power varies with individuals but with some efforts, anyone can improve their memory using time-tested techniques adapted to the requirements of each individual. Sometimes, reading out loud can enable you to memorize and recall better.